The Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC), through the World Bank-funded Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP), officially launched its 2024–2028 Development Plan on Thursday, January 23, 2025. The Plan represents a transformative vision for the Western Area Rural District. It lays the groundwork for sustainable urban and rural development through five key enablers: economic growth and Transportation, Planning and Management, Climate Change and Environmental Protection, enhancing urban infrastructure and Social Services, and Transportation, Mobility, and Access.

Speaking at the launch event, WARDC Chairman Kasho J. Holland Cole described the Development Plan as a roadmap for the district’s future progress. He highlighted the council’s achievements in education, market construction, health centre rehabilitation, and job creation, emphasizing that WARDC remains committed to delivering essential services to all communities. He expressed gratitude to the World Bank through the RUSLP for their support, particularly in funding the development of the WARDC Plan. Chairman Holland Cole noted that the World Bank’s funding has been instrumental in ensuring the success of this initiative.

Alfred Moi Jamiru, the deputy minister of local government and community affairs, applauded WARDC’s efforts to complement the government’s development agenda. He called the plan “the people’s plan” and urged residents to support its implementation.

Representatives from MDAs, ONS, Members of Parliament, Councilors, Village Heads, community leaders, civil society organizations, media representatives, and other key stakeholders attended the launch event, which was held at the WARDC conference hall.

The WARDC Development Planning Officer, Mr Mohamed Momoh, presented the Development Plan.

Mr. Adams Tommy, Project Coordinator of Accountable Governance, chaired the event. Statements were made by the Hon. Minister of the Western Region, Ambassador Adekunle King, the Deputy Development Secretary, Osman C Conteh, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the Senior Deputy Financial Secretary, Madam Mariatu Browne, Ministry of Finance and the Hon Members of Parliament followed by the keynote address delivered by the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Alfred Moi Jamiru, who, in consonant with the WARDC chairman, Kasho J. Holland Cole and other invited dignitaries, officially launched the WARDC Development Plan (2024-2028).